Going to the dentist is not the most relaxing experience, and for many, there can be a real fear when it comes to sitting in the dentist’s chair. Thankfully, there’s now a lot more than dentists can do to help ease the patient and to reduce any feelings of stress, nerves, or anxiety. Here are the different types of sedation dentistry available in Paso Robles.
The Four States Of Sedation
When it comes to getting sedated, there are different sedation options available that can help control the amount you remember, and some might help you more than others. The first is minimal sedation. This is where you are awake, but you’re much more relaxed than you were going into it. Moderate sedation is normally referred to as conscious sedation, and it’s where you will perhaps slur your words as you’re speaking. You might also find that there are gaps in your memory of the procedure, or you might not remember it at all. Deep sedation is one down from general anesthesia, and this is where you are on the edge of being conscious, but you’re able to be awakened if necessary. General anesthesia is the last one and is where you are completely unconscious. It’s up to you and the discussion with your dentist on which one is the right one. It’s also worth knowing what is used in order for each of these states before going through with it.
Types Of Sedation Dentistry
Inhaled (Minimal Sedation) – Nitrous oxide is used to give you minimal sedation, and it’s something that is commonly referred to as laughing gas. It’s combined with oxygen, and then it gets pumped through into a mask that’s placed over your nose. The gas is used to help you relax, and the dentist can also control the amount you have as the gas does tend to wear off quickly without much warning. It’s certainly worth using if you’d rather take something that isn’t going to limit you on how you get home from the dentist.
Oral Sedation – Oral sedation, depending on the dose given can range from the minimal sedation to the moderate. For minimal, it’s usually a pill and is similar to Valium. The pill is taken normally an hour before the procedure goes ahead and will make you feel drowsy. However, you’ll still be awake for the procedure. A larger dose of this will perhaps make you drowsy enough to fall asleep, and that’s a preferred state for people to be in if they’re worried about the dentist.
An IV (Moderate Sedation) – An IV is a moderate sedation, and it goes into the vein so it will work a lot quicker than a pill.
Deep Sedation & Anesthesia – Deep sedation and anesthesia can render you unconscious or almost unconscious, depending on your preference. It’s not something that you will easily wake up from and usually, you’ll also have a local anesthetic that helps number the area where you have work done to relieve pain and discomfort.
Knowing what’s available when it comes to sedation dentistry, in Paso Robles California can be helpful to ease any stress or fear you might have before going in for a procedure.
